I just got an HV30 to replace my HV10. I plan to use it as a 3rd camera, and as a capture deck so i don't have to use my H1 or A1 for capturing. Somehow I thought that I could down convert from hdv to sd out of the camera while capturing, like you can with the H1 and A1. After reading the manual, it doesn't look like you can. Is this correct?
bruce yarock
Yarock Video and Photo (http://www.yarockvideo.com)

The HV30 can down convert your HDV tape to DV when outputting via firewire.
I cant remember how this is done off the top of my head but I think you go to the Menu when in PLAY mode, scroll to SETUP 2 and select DV Output as DV Locked.
This should work. I have downconverted HDV to DV many times with the HV30.

Thanks,Tony. After I posted, I went through the manual again, and discovered the dv lock setting. then I tried capturing and it worked!
I'm really happy now that i bought the HV30 because i can shoot with it, use it for viewing footage, and capture either hdv or dv. I often burn footage directly to a dvd recorder from camera, and i'll also be using the HV30 for this.
Bruce yarock
Yarock Video and Photo (http://www.yarockvideo.com)

The HV30 (PAL-version) can downconvert to DV 16:9, but it can't crop HDV 16:9 to DV 4:3.